As recently announced, the annual ROCK CARNIVAL is back for its second year – taking place on September 30, October 1 and October 2 at its new location in Lakewood, NJ at FirstEnergy Park, home of the Lakewood Blue Claws.

As with its inaugural year, which drew a staggering 50,000+ attendees, the second annual ROCK CARNIVAL will feature classic amusement rides and entertainment, the most delicious food truck offerings, high-action Professional Wrestling, a wide selection of tasty brews, and of course… the best in local, national and international rock music performances! This year’s event will also see the addition of more carnival area space and a children’s fun zone. This is a weekend of big fun for the whole family!

ROCK CARNIVAL is pleased to announce even more stellar talent performing at this year’s show. In addition to Saturday headliners and heavy metal legends Twisted Sister performing their can’t-miss official tri-state farewell show, fans will enjoy a legendary Friday headline performance from none other than the original shock rocker himself, Alice Cooper.

Pop culture icon Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. With a schedule that includes six months each year on the road, Alice Cooper brings his own brand of rock psycho-drama to fans both old and new, enjoying it as much as the audience does. Known as the architect of shock-rock, Cooper (in both the original Alice Cooper band and as a solo artist) has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, continuing to surprise fans and exude danger at every turn, like a great horror movie, even in an era where CNN can present real life shocking images. With his influence on rock & roll long since acknowledged, there is little that Alice Cooper hasn’t achieved in his remarkable career, including platinum albums, sold-out tours and any number of honors and career achievement awards. As he heads back out on the concert trail each year, Cooper insists he’s still motivated to continue touring and recording albums, as well as making time for such side projects as Cooper’stown (his Phoenix-based restaurant/sports bar) and his “Nights With Alice Cooper” nightly radio show, syndicated domestically and worldwide on over 100 stations.

In addition to Alice Cooper, other newly announced artists include Clutch, Blue Oyster Cult, Zakk Sabbath, Cycle of Pain, Zebra, Jackyl, Shaman’s Harvest and KYNG. These artists join previously announced ROCK CARNIVAL 2016 artists Overkill, Ace Frehley, Monster Magnet, Fuel, Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Dokken, Texas Hippie Coalition, Doro, Four By Fate, Killcode, Jester and American Angel. Even more ROCK CARNIVAL performances will be announced soon, with Sunday’s performance line-up being announced via 95.9 the WRAT on Tuesday, July 5!

Music will take place on multiple stages including two main festival stages, side by side, on the field. Fans will have general admission access to the stadium field. The musical portion of the event will once again feature the Birch Hill stage, a very popular performance area, with the addition of another performance area showcasing developing artists.

Reserved weekend, GA weekend, single day, VIP and Skybox tickets for this year’s ROCK CARNIVAL are on sale now. Carnival entry is FREE for all children under 16 and Adult Carnival Only Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the Carnival. Carnival Only Admission does not include stadium access.

Band leader/singer Yiannis Papanikolaou- Diviner

Thanks to Emil Westerdahl at Ulterium Records for setting up the interview Thanks to Ulterium Records for the promo pictures of the band.

The Greek heavy metal act Diviner released their debut album FALLEN EMPIRES last year and since I thought the album was great I hooked up with one of the band’s leaders, singer Yiannis Papanikolaou, to learn a bit more about them. The band is jammed with experienced and skilled musicians like guitarist Thimios Krikos (Innerwish) and drummer Fragiskos Samoilis (Innerwish). Innerwish is one of the biggest metal acts from Greece and Yiannis was also a member of that band before joining Diviner. Besides Diviner this busy man also leads and fronts the Dio cover act Rock N Roll Children, whom we discussed during our interview. To learn more about Greek heavy metal lean back and enjoy…

Several years ago, MOTÖRHEAD (together with UDR Music) formed their own label called Motörhead Music. Lemmy and the boys were concerned about where the support was for rock’n’roll bands trying to get a leg up, so they decided forming their own label would be the way to help.

They wanted bands to have access to everything they enjoyed, from production to studios to marketing to distribution – the full monty. They even wanted their management, Singerman Entertainment, and their booking agents to be involved in helping talent get a chance to shine in the public eye.

In 2014, the band finally chose a few bands to support, with Lemmy insistent that Budderside and Others be on the inaugural Motörboat and that Barb Wire Dolls also receive the full support of Motörhead Music and its staff. Now all three will lead the charge for Motörhead Music in 2016.

Motörhead Music will continue to follow the mission statement as laid down by Lemmy and the boys. So if you want to support raw, exciting rock’n’roll, punk and whatever music is on the label, come one, come all. If not, don’t let the door hit yer arse on the way out.

One more thing – Motörhead Music would like fans to pay close attention to UDR Music artist Seek Irony, who they feel are completely different from anything you’ve heard and deserve your attention! Follow Seek Irony at the links below.

Jackyl has announced that their brand new album, ‘ROWYCO,’ will be released on August 5th via Mighty Loud Records. ‘ROWYCO’ (let us know when you figure this one out!) is the FATTEST sounding record to date for the band. “This will be an exciting year,” predicts lead singer Jesse James Dupree. “With the album’s release timing perfectly with the grand opening of the Full Throttle Saloon, in Sturgis, South Dakota. The original location burned to the ground last year AND they are building back bigger and better than ever.”

The Full Throttle Saloon enjoyed a 6 year run of a hit reality television show of the same name, which documented owner Michael Ballard and Jesse’s struggles to get the bar up, running and profitable during the world’s largest motorcycle rally.

The first single off of ‘ROWYCO,’ “Rally,” is the perfect song to kick off summer, as it’s time to rally for ROCK! “There is not a better song than ‘Rally’ to set the pace for an incredible summer 2016,” exclaims Jesse. So crank that bitch up!” To hear the new single and to pre-order the album, visit the following links:

And as far as the album as a whole, “It’s a Jackyl record at its core, but there are some tracks, lyrically, that I went a little deeper on a personal level with some things I had going on at the time. It is the thickest sounding production that we have ever recorded. It’s just a huge slice of rock. ‘ROWYCO’ is a very diverse album and every track has its purpose.”

And with Jesse and co. set to continue their latest tour on June 8th in Pennsylvania, this is shaping up to be the summer of Jackyl!

On 19th August Universal Music Catalogue will release 4CD and 4LP sets of Sex Pistols – Live ’76. The collection comprises four revolutionary live recordings – all officially sanctioned by the Sex Pistols and professionally mastered at Abbey Rd Studios and released in full for the first time.

Disc one features the truly legendary Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester concert, which took place on 4th June, 1976, arguably one of the most important music concerts ever. Set up by Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto (who were inspired to form Buzzcocks after travelling to Welwyn Garden City to watch the Pistols), the show was witnessed by people including future Joy Division/New Order members, Morrissey, Mark E. Smith (The Fall) and Tony Wilson, the concert changed the course of music history, with the Pistols inspiring a generation of musical mavericks.

Closer to the band’s London roots, the second disc comprises the ‘Midnight Special’ concert, which was recorded on 29th August, 1976 at Screen on the Green, Islington – More widely known for its cult cinema screenings. This famous gig saw the Pistols supported by The Clash and Buzzcocks. Legend has it that journalists and record company staff attempting to gain entry were reported to have been barred entry.

Disc three is the live show that took place at Chelmsford Maximum Security Prison on 17th September 1976. Of the four recordings that make up this collection, this was the only one ‘officially’ recorded on 4 track ¼ inch tape, by the band’s live soundman Dave Goodman. Reportedly the idea of the band’s manager Malcolm McLaren, who claimed it was part of his strategy to have the band play more interesting, unusual non rock ‘n’ roll places, no doubt in an attempt to create controversy. John Rotten Lydon rose to the occasion by being his provocative best, as can be heard on the between songs banter.

The collection is completed with a concert that originally made its way around as a fans bootleg, recorded on 25th September – 1976: 76 Club, Burton on Trent. Officially released in full for the first time.

Sex Pistols – Live ’76 is the first time all four of these concerts have been collected together in sequence. It will be available on 4CD and 4LP sets (as well as digital download). It features related photographs and an original facsimile Sex Pistols Glitterbest press kit from the era.

The Sex Pistols are one of the most important British bands ever. Although they remain the band that defined punk (a term they still reject), they were also a great band who made great records. Considering they only released one album and four singles, their influence and legacy has reached every corner of the planet. Contrary to the myth of them not being able to play, they were fantastic rock’n’roll musicians, fronted by one of the most unique and distinctive-sounding frontmen ever, not to mention one of the most inspiring and greatest lyricists.

In November 2014 a helicopter landed at the infamous Hard Rock Hotel as KISS invaded Las Vegas for an historic nine-show run. Now, fans will be able to experience this spectacular night for themselves in their own homes as ‘KISS Rocks Vegas’ hits PPV in North America – available via cable, satellite, and online. From this blistering live show, fans can expect sky-high flames, ear-bursting volume and a few drops of blood!

As America’s #1 Gold Record Award winning group of all time, and that’s in every category, KISS can easily be named one of rock’s most influential bands. The Rock N Roll Hall of Famers have released 44 albums and sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. Additionally, KISS were recently honoured by their peers, having received the illustrious ASCAP Founders Award in 2015.

Paul Stanley (KISS lead Vocals, rhythm guitar)
“See us from the comfort of your couch with the awesome power of surround sound. Feel like you are in Vegas and don’t be shy. ‘Shout it out loud”!

Over the course of 40 years, KISS’ record-breaking global tours have brought them to fans around the world. The band kicked off their recent world tour with 5 headlining shows in Japan and a #1 single in 2014 “Samurai Son” with Japanese pop group, Momoiro Clover Z. Their 40th Anniversary World tour also rocked North America, South America and Australia. Furthermore, once a year the “KISS Army” becomes the “KISS Navy” as fans from across the globe board the KISS Kruise (2016 year will mark their 6th voyage).

KISS teamed up with Warner Brothers in 2014 to create the well-received original movie ScoobyDoo and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery. Other high-profile appearances have included the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, Rockin’ The Corps concert, a FOX alliance with KISS appearing in multiple episodes of Family Guy, plus two special guest performances on American Idol finales.

KISS has been featured in major advertising and marketing campaigns for John Varvatos, Google Play, Hello Kitty— even appearing in a Dr. Pepper Super Bowl commercial and advertising campaign in support of their Hottest Show On Earth tour. This year represents the 3rd season of the LA KISS Arena Football League team bringing professional football back to Los Angeles. KISS founding band members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have also entered the culinary world by opening a string of successful restaurants aptly named Rock & Brews.

KISS is dedicated to numerous Veterans Organizations including: The Wounded Warriors Project, The USO, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Hire A Hero” program, The Legacy Organization in Australia, Help for Heroes United Kingdom and The Dr. Pepper Snapple Groups Wounded Warriors Support Foundations
For more information, visit www.KissOnline.com

For more information and to purchase digital PPV go to Kissonline.com or check your local cable provider for more info.

Interview with Terji of Tyr

Swedish filthiest & dirtiest bastards Mikke Killalot (Drums), Belze Bo (Bass & Vox), Straight G (Guitars) a.k.a. VÖRGUS reveal now the artwork for the upcoming album “White Trash Hellraisers” to be out in September on INFERNO Records and available as a first limited digipack edition CD and as a limited cassette edition!

Holland’s greatest symphonic metal band, EPICA, have finally put the last touches on their new upcoming studio album entitled The Holographic Principle. Once again it’ll be released worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records on September 30! The album was produced with Joost van der Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities. Mixing was handled by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, DESTRUCTION). The cover artwork was created by Stefan Heilemann (www.heilemania.de).

The band commented:
“Our highly anticipated seventh studio album is a fact. The Holographic Principle feels to us like a true treasure, created by us all with blood, sweat and tears of joy. In the past year we have worked very hard to write and record this special album. We are all very eager to share it with you! Join us on our new musical journey.”

To celebrate the release of EPICA’s brand-new record fittingly, the band will be playing on their own Epic Metal Fest at the 013 in Tilburg, NL on Saturday, October 1st. They invited KATATONIA, their label mates FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and (also landsmen) TEXTURES to take part in this special event. Additionally, STREAM OF PASSION, THE AGONIST, MAYAN, MYRATH, EVIL INVADERS and last but not least OFF THE CROSS will be attending EPICA’s release show. On Saturday 15th October the Brazilian edition of Epic Metal Fest will take place in Sao Paulo. PARADISE LOST, FINNTROLL, XANDRIA and THE OCEAN will join EPICA for this first edition.

VICIOUS RUMORS Concussion Protocol proves yet again … as pioneers of power metal, they remain driven to consistently innovate and forge new paths into ever-expanding musical territory. Known worldwide for their high-energy shows and top quality musicianship … VICIOUS RUMORS is perhaps the most versatile band of the heavy metal genre.

Their debut releases on Shrapnel Records, Soldiers of The Night (which was also the full length recording debut of metal guitarist extraordinaire Vinnie Moore) and Digital Dictator – are unanimously considered to be full-on metal classics, by both fans and reviewers worldwide. Vicious Rumors three subsequent releases on Atlantic Records (and the companion MTV videos, which landed in regular rotation on ´Headbanger’s Ball`) served to cement their reputations in heavy metal music history. Countless tours, eleven studio and three live albums later – it is now well beyond question that the band will never fail to deliver a relentless, driving energy and commitment to excellence. Their major festival appearances at events like Bang Your Head, Rock Hard and Wacken Open Air over the years have left no doubt – this is a band who is not satisfied to simply rest on their laurels.

The stage is now set, and Aug 26th 2016 is the date to mark on your calendar – the worldwide unveiling of what will no doubt be remembered as a milestone release for both the band and the genre, Concussion Protocol. Not simply a “return to form” , the production team of Juan Uteaga (Testament) and band leader Geoff Thorpe has been solidifying their working relationship for the past ten years, and has deftly zeroed in on the new strengths of a fully re-vitalized band – that now features newcomer Nick Holleman on vocals, Tilen Hudrap on bass and Thaen Rasmussen on guitar … alongside veteran guitarist Geoff Thorpe and drummer Larry Howe … as well as guest appearances by some long time Vicious Rumors friends: guitarists Steve Smyth and Brad Gillis .

Consider yourself forewarned – Concussion Protocol will simultaneously explode out of the gate with the passion & fire of a newly galvanized band – and the maturity in writing and performances that can only come from the most seasoned metal outfits. The songs run the gamut: the melodic power of ´Take It Or Leave It`, the brutality of ´1000 Years`, and the haunting ´Circle Of Secrets` will take you on a sonic roller coaster ride of pure, unadulterated, cutting-edge metal adventure – and will demonstrate yet again – Vicious Rumors will place no limits on their creative inspirations. Of course, true to form – there`s the shredding guitar solos, melodic and powerful vocals, double bass drum thunder, bass guitar madness, and the thought provoking songs that are all part of the historical band sound – yet somehow, amazingly – Vicious Rumors still expertly traverses both known and yet unknown metal territory.

“Concussion Protocol” will be released through SPV/Steamhammer on August 26th, 2016 as a digipak version (incl.poster), 2LP gatefold red vinyl edition and download.

Track Listing:

1. Concussion Protocol 4:56
2. Chemical Slaves 05:50
3. Victims Of A Digital World 04:13
4. Chasing The Priest 04:13
5. Last Of Our Kind 03:56
6. 1000 Years 03:39
7. Circle Of Secrets 05:04
8. Take It Or Leave It 03:23
9. Bastards 04:40
10. Every Blessing Is A Curse 04:14
11. Life For A Life 06:11

The Devil Strikes Again is the name of the new album by the German metal institution RAGE. With this record and a new line-up, consisting of the native Venezoelan, Belgian-by-choice guitarist Marcos Rodriguez and the German-Greek, ex-drum tech and best friend of his predecessor Chris Efthimiadis, Vassilios ‘Lucky’ Maniatopoulos on drums, along with mastermind, frontman and bass player Peter ‘Peavy’ Wagner, RAGE report back – louder then ever.

Frontiers Music Srl is excited release WITHEM’s brand new album now, which is entitled “The Unforgiving Road”. The album is available for purchase via Amazon and iTunes.

In addition to release of their album WITHEM has released a new video for the song “Exit”. Watch the clip HERE.

WITHEM is an upcoming Progressive Metal band hailing from Norway who are inspired by the likes of Symphony X, Pagan’s Mind, Dream Theater and Circus Maximus, concentrating heavily on melodic, memorable hooks, but still with plenty of stunning and virtuoso instrumental sections. The band debuted with “The Point of You” in 2013, gathering excellent reviews from several music websites, blogs and magazines from all over the world. The release was followed by European touring with Pagan’s Mind, Circus Maximus and Seventh Wonder, and performances at both ProgPower USA and ProgPower Oslo, always with an extremely positive reception.

The new album, “The Unforgiving Road” sees the band perfecting their style. WITHEM’s gripping, melody-driven songs avoid the clichés and pitfalls of overly dramatic instrumental sections and sheer senseless complexity and instead center on creative interplay between the musicians, while the unique vocal range of Ole Aleksander Wagenius gives the band a distinctive touch. Just like the debut album, “The Unforgiving Road” was produced and mixed by guitarist Øyvind Voldmo Larsen at his own Lionheart Studio, boasting powerful and bombastic production values with plenty of moments for the listener to notice the most subtle intricate parts of the songs.

Frontiers Music Srl has released the new album from DAN REED NETWORK entitled “Fight Another Day.” The album marks the return of one of the most infectious and gifted bands to come out in the Melodic Rock World in the second part of the 80’s.

“Fight Another Day” is available for purchase via iTunes and Amazon.

The new album was recorded primarily in the hometown of members of DRN, Portland, Oregon, while most of the writing process took place in Dan Reed’s private studio in Prague in the Czech Republic, where Reed currently resides with his family. Demos were sent back and forth between Derek Shulman (A&R for Frontiers), Brion James, Melvin Brannon Jr. and Rob Daiker, making notes and refining the songs over great distances via the Internet. This process was not unlike with DRN composed songs back in the late 80’s and early 90’s as Dan Reed used to demo out songs on his Akai 12 track machine and bring the songs into rehearsals where the band members would then arrange and flesh out the band’s classic ‘funk rock’ sound.

After the tracking was completed, band’s keyboardist Rob Daiker went to work editing and mixing each track alongside Shulman and Reed, sending mixes back and forth, making notes and shaping and moulding the album to best represent what DRN sounds like currently, while paying respect to what brought the band to the world’s attention back in the late 80’s.

“I thought it would be a great experiment and interesting challenge to revisit what endeared the band to so many back in the day and deliver a rock record with funk and soul elements, strong melodies, but this time around incorporate even edgier lyrics while not losing sight that this release needed to be uplifting, infectious, and most of all, powerful when performed live,” says Dan Reed. “The title ‘Fight Another Day’ represents the fact that after 25 years we were able to gravitate back to the passion we discovered playing together all those years ago, and battle once more!”

The band looks forward to the world’s response to this new labor of love, and this testament to the bonds of friendship and musical chemistry! Worlwide touring over the next twelve months will support the album release.

Legendary music acts are revving up for LaconiaFest – the east coast’s only premier motorcycle music festival! Just a few weeks after the announcement of music legend Steven Tyler’s upcoming headlining performance on June 15 (tickets for this date are on sale now), rock music icon Sebastian Bach has joined the party – headlining Sunday, June 12!

Celebrated rocker Sebastian Bach is recognized globally as a vocalist, television star, actor and beyond! Bach hit the spotlight in the late 1980’s as the iconic frontman for mainstream heavy metal act Skid Row. Since his departure from Skid Row in the mid 90’s, Sebastian Bach still remains one of the most relevant rock figures in pop culture today, with network television appearances on MTV, VH1 and CMT, guest appearances on Gilmore Girls, Trailer Park Boys, Californication and other popular television shows, and several acting stints on and off Broadway. 2014 marked the release of Bach’s most recent album, Give ‘Em Hell, which impressively – proving his prowess decades after his initial debut – landed on the U.S. Top Hard Rock and Top 200 Billboard charts. Bach’s upcoming Harper Collins memoir 18 And Life on Skid Row is set to release later this year.

“We’re so pleased to have Sebastian Bach joining us for the inaugural LaconiaFest,” states Tyler Glover, managing member and co-producer of LaconiaFest. “We’re dedicated to bringing our attendees the greatest musical experience, so we’re really looking forward to his amazing performance!”

LaconiaFest will be held in conjunction with the world-famous 93rd annual Laconia Motorcycle Week in Laconia, New Hampshire and will appropriately include all day food and drink, motocross stunt shows, motorcycle model/product stagings and more.This high-octane, nine-day festival (June 11-19, 2016) will take place in the heart of Downtown Weirs Beach at the Weirs Beach Drive-In Theatre. LaconiaFest is sponsored by Ticket Galaxy, Stoli Vodka and Monster Energy.

Sebastian Bach joins fellow LaconiaFest headliners Steven Tyler, BRET Michaels, Ted Nugent, Buckcherry, Sevendust and Fuel with additional performances from rock music’s top talent of today and yesterday including Warrant, Lita Ford, Trixter, LA Guns, P.O.D., Attika7, Dope, Saving Abel, Biters, Adelitas Way, Bullethead, and Milow the Girl. In total, the festival will feature over 100 internationally and regionally recognized artists. LaconiaFest will feature two stages and festival attendees will rock out to live music for 12 hours a day – noon to midnight.

Stay updated on the emerging line-up of artists and their performance dates and times via www.LaconiaFest.com.

LaconiaFest is about to cement itself as a world-class, week-long music experience destination! The grounds at the Weirs Beach Drive-In Theatre will be transformed into a festival atmosphere, set to feature several entertaining daily attractions included in the cost of a festival ticket. First and foremost, LaconiaFest will include FMX (freestyle motocross) stunt shows featuring performances from outstanding athletes Keith Sayers, James Carter and Todd Potter. Attendees will enjoy a festival village, delicious foods, bars, biker builders, vendors and a paint ball game zone, with attractions being added daily.

LaconiaFest Ticket Information:
Tickets for select LaconiaFest concert dates are on sale now, giving you access to over 50 performing artists – with more to come during the remaining five dates! LaconiaFest VIP Pit and VIP Tower